Somehow, America just can't seems to overcome its racial problems. The shooting of an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown by a white police officer last week in Ferguson, Missouri is a tragic example of this. This tragedy triggered another riot in Ferguson and clashes with the police that are reminiscent of the 60s civil rights struggle in the South where police use water hoses and police dogs to control black protesters.
The racial problem in America has a long history that dates back to the time of slavery. In a 1923, the Jamaican born, Pan Africanist, Marcus Mosiah Garvey during his self-defense at his trial for mail fraud in the US court, made a prediction about race to the court. This is what he said when he asked the rhetorical question about race:
What are you going to do with this question of race. You may sit quietly by, but it is going to be serious later on and that is why the Universal Negro Improvement Association is endeavoring to assist you in solving the Negro problem by helping the Negro to become enterprising, independent politically, and by having a country of his own. If you follow me down the ages you will see within 100 years you are going to have a terrible race problem in America, when you will have increased and the country will become over-populated. It will be a fight for existence between two opposite races. The weak will have to go down in defeat before the strong. In the riots of Washington, East St. Louis, Chicago, Tulsa, study the race question and you will find that some serious thinking must be done now to solve this problem; otherwise our children will be confronted with it.
A hundred years from the time Garvey made these comments will come in 2023 - just nine years away - and America still has a serious race problem. In his prediction Garvey referenced riots that occurred in four areas of the US. Since then the pattern of riots triggered by racial problems, continue to be blight on American society.
Although the racism perpetrated by social institutions has declined, the criminal-justice system seems to resist changes to ameliorating the disparate treatment of blacks. Black people are given harsher sentences compared to whites who commit the same crimes and law enforcement profiles them as suspects and criminals.
Within the past two months, the nation has been subjected to four disturbing incidents of the police (and a wannabe police) using deadly force or excessive force on blacks. These four incidents sparked the usual frenzy of media coverage and the typical pattern of discussion on racism - denial and accusations. The first incident occurred on February 26, 2012 and involved the murder of seventeen year old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida by the wannabe cop George Zimmerman. Before pursuing Martin and fatally shooting him, Zimmerman made some racial stereotypical comments about the teenager. Police questioned Zimmerman the night of the murder but he was not arrested until several weeks later after the incident started to get national coverage in the media. Zimmerman was acquitted based on Florida's "Stand your ground law."
The second incident, which was caught on videotape, showed a white California Highway Patrol officer straddling a woman and pummeling her with punches to her face. This incident occurred July 1, 2014 on the shoulder of a busy highway in Los Angeles. The victim was Marlene Pinnock an unarmed fifty one year old black woman. Her merciless beating was not what you would expect a man to do to a woman. Apparently, it made no difference to the patrol officer that this was an unarmed woman. For a law enforcement officer to do deliver the kind of beating shown on the videotape to a woman raises several disturbing questions about the attitude of police officers towards black people.
The third incident occurred in New York also in July 21, 2014 when Eric Garner an unarmed black man was apprehended by several police officers. During a police confrontation with garner, a police officer applied a choke hold to him and with the help of other officers brought him to the ground. The police officers continued to use unnecessary force to restrain him. Garner an asthmatic, was in distress and moments later he was dead.
The fourth incident, the Michael Brown incident occurred just last week in Ferguson, Missouri. The teenager was fatally shot as he tried to run away after an altercation with a police officer. Shot in the back, Brown held up both hands to show that he was unarmed. However, the police officer allegedly fired several more shots into Brown's body killing him on the spot.
Because these incidents involve black people and occurred in different regions of the country, the conclusion is drawn that law enforcement treatment of black people is a national problem. It is a problem that requires law enforcement to evaluate their training program and possible implement training on the use of deadly force and their attitude towards black people - especially young blacks.
A number of events have occurred in the past five decades that should have given America an opportunity to come to some reconciliation with its racial problem. Dr. Martin Luther King, Civil Rights struggle followed by his "I have a dream speech" is one of those events. Rodney King's (he was brutally beaten by cops in 1992) famous comments, "Can't we all get along" was another moment that gave America an opportunity to look into its soul. Then there was the 9/11 tragedy that was fueled by the hatred of extreme Muslims linked to al Qaeda. This tragic act of terrorism should have made America look at their own internal hatred and it should have helped unite all Americans. America cannot afford to condemn hatred from foreigners and at the same time continue to practice racial hatred.
As with any type of negative social behavior, there is always a catalyst that drives the behavior or makes people feel they can continue their undesirable behavior. So what is the catalyst that is influencing the increased use of deadly and brutal force by the police against black people? My guess is that it is the climate of hatred that started when President Obama became the first black president.
Some people will disagree that the treatment of President Obama has nothing to do with his race and more to do with his politics. That is simply not true though, because the manner in which the president has been treated is clearly unprecedented. During the president's first term going on into his second term, there has been a relentless effort to destroy his presidency. This effort is manifested in the blatant disrespect; the conspiracy theories that swirl around him; the spurious GOP led congressional hearings dubbed as scandals - IRS, Fast and Furious, Benghazi, etc.; the propaganda to discredit his policies; talks of impeaching the president; the GOP shutting down of the government; Speaker Boehner's suing the president; and the personal attacks that sometimes involved with racial innuendos. All these are things that no previous presidents have been subjected to.
If the president of America is being treated in the manner described in the previous paragraph, it is not hard to understand why hatred is again on the rise in America. In this climate of hatred, police officers see it as open season on black people. This climate of hatred is fueled by the GOP members who treat the president as if he is a pariah. It is not surprising then that some world leaders will take advantage of this situation. This is exactly what President Putin is doing in his effort to bring back Crimea and the Ukraine under Russian control. Putin senses that America is divided and that President Obama gets no support on domestic and foreign policy issues. He knows that with President Obama having a weak hand, he can take advantage of doing whatever he wants to do.
Marcus Garvey was also spot-on in another prediction he made that is currently being played out in the manner in which President Obama is treated by the GOP. In 1920, Garvey made comments that white people would resent black politicians making laws to govern the white man. This is what Garvey said:
A terrible mistake was made between 40 and 50 years ago when black men were elected to legislative assemblies all over the country, especially in the southern states and even at the national capital when representatives of this race occupied seats in Congress. The mistake was made as far as the white people were concerned. There was a state of dis-organization in the nation, and in that state certain things happened to mere chance. In the chance, dozens of black men became Senators and Congressmen. This opened up to the eyes of the white nation the possibility of the black man governing the white man in these United States of America - the possibility of the black man making laws to govern the white man? This possibility drove them almost to madness, in suddenly rejecting the spirit of the Constitution and the declaration of Lincoln that "all men are created equal," hence the determination was arrived at, that never again would it be possible for the race of slaves to govern the race of masters within these United States of America.
Marcus Garvey not only predicted America's racial problem, he provided insights that America should have paid attention to. Unfortunately, people like Marcus Garvey are often discredited and their message goes unheeded. Racial problems are rooted in the deep recesses of the mind and they result from what is called the ideology of racism. This is why racism is so persistent and the only way to come to terms with it is through some revolutionary process like a spiritual awakening.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8677853
Monday, 14 March 2016
Invention and Entrepreneurship Is the REAL Social Activism for Poverty Stricken Communities
Every major shift in society has been led by inventions and profitable businesses. Steel, Autos, Trains, Planes, Door Knobs, Clothes Dryers, Trucks, Internet and Mobile phones have radically activated social change that endures for generations. Risk seeking entrepreneurs initiated their vision and changed the world.
1. Andrew Carnegie introduced steel as a lightweight competitor of iron to birth Pittsburgh.
2. Henry Ford introduced the horseless carriage to replace the horse and buggy to birth Detroit as the Automotive Capital of the World.
3. Cornelius Vanderbilt introduced trains to replace the stage coach for faster travel to birth the West.
4. Wilbur & Orville Wright introduced planes to replace ships for faster global transportation and birthed the entire aircraft industry.
5. Osburn Dorsey, an African American, received a patent for the door knob in 1878, providing a mechanism to open doors.
6. George T. Sampson, an African American, received a patent on June 7, 1892 for the clothes dryer eliminating the time consuming clothes line drying forever.
7. Fred Jones, an African American, introduced refrigerated truck trailers transporting perishable food items across the country. birthing grocery stores with products from every point of the globe.
8. J. C. R. Licklider created the ARPANET the predecessor of the internet in 1963 birthing a radical change in every facet of the world.
9. Martin Cooper placed the first mobile phone call on April 3, 1973. In a short twenty five years, mobile phones have radically replaced home phones.
Inventions have changed the world even when people fought the change. Everyone desires the convenience that new inventions and ideas bring. Want to eliminate poverty and upgrade African American communities? Invest family time in inventing as it is the real social activism tool.
Our world has drastically changed the past 200 years and according to a MIT Technology Review report 45 percent of America's occupations will be automated within the next 20 years ushering in another radical change. Computers will start replacing people in transportation/logistics, production labor, administrative support, services, sales, and construction.
Corporate America is seeking to drive this automation with innovation, which is defined as profitable invention. Invention is an act of creating or producing by exercise of the imagination. Dr. Stuart Brown states, "The advantage that countries like the United States... retain is the ability to invent - to dream up solutions to problems that people may not yet even know they have. Nations that remain economically strong are those that can create intellectual property - and the ability to innovate largely comes out of an ability to play."
Are you ready for another transformation? Automation Workz! Will you? Don't wait on the sidelines. Participate freely.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8680560
1. Andrew Carnegie introduced steel as a lightweight competitor of iron to birth Pittsburgh.
2. Henry Ford introduced the horseless carriage to replace the horse and buggy to birth Detroit as the Automotive Capital of the World.
3. Cornelius Vanderbilt introduced trains to replace the stage coach for faster travel to birth the West.
4. Wilbur & Orville Wright introduced planes to replace ships for faster global transportation and birthed the entire aircraft industry.
5. Osburn Dorsey, an African American, received a patent for the door knob in 1878, providing a mechanism to open doors.
6. George T. Sampson, an African American, received a patent on June 7, 1892 for the clothes dryer eliminating the time consuming clothes line drying forever.
7. Fred Jones, an African American, introduced refrigerated truck trailers transporting perishable food items across the country. birthing grocery stores with products from every point of the globe.
8. J. C. R. Licklider created the ARPANET the predecessor of the internet in 1963 birthing a radical change in every facet of the world.
9. Martin Cooper placed the first mobile phone call on April 3, 1973. In a short twenty five years, mobile phones have radically replaced home phones.
Inventions have changed the world even when people fought the change. Everyone desires the convenience that new inventions and ideas bring. Want to eliminate poverty and upgrade African American communities? Invest family time in inventing as it is the real social activism tool.
Our world has drastically changed the past 200 years and according to a MIT Technology Review report 45 percent of America's occupations will be automated within the next 20 years ushering in another radical change. Computers will start replacing people in transportation/logistics, production labor, administrative support, services, sales, and construction.
Corporate America is seeking to drive this automation with innovation, which is defined as profitable invention. Invention is an act of creating or producing by exercise of the imagination. Dr. Stuart Brown states, "The advantage that countries like the United States... retain is the ability to invent - to dream up solutions to problems that people may not yet even know they have. Nations that remain economically strong are those that can create intellectual property - and the ability to innovate largely comes out of an ability to play."
Are you ready for another transformation? Automation Workz! Will you? Don't wait on the sidelines. Participate freely.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8680560
Mullah Norullah Noori: A Short Biography of One of the Taliban Five
ALIASES: Mullah Nuri, Noor Muhammad, Noorudeen, Hafiz Noorullah
DOB: January 1, 1967, Shajoie, Zabul Province, Afghanistan
Citizenship: Afghanistan,
Risk Level: HIGH, likely to pose a threat to the US, its interests and allies
Intelligence Value: HIGH
Rank/Position: Senior Taliban Military Commander, Taliban governor for the Balkh and Lagman provinces
Education:
Incarcerated: January 11, 2002
Released: May 31, 2014
Connections
Close ties to Taliban leader Mullah Omar
Senior Taliban Officials
Senior al-Qaeda members
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
Libyan Islamic Fighting Group
Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin
Crimes
Engaged in hostilities against US and Coalition Forces in Zabul Province
War Crimes - murder and torture of thousands of Shiite Muslims in Northern Afghanistan
Passed communications between Taliban and al-Qaeda
History
Noori grew up in Shajoie and learned to read and write at the mosque in his village. His father was an imam atht he mosque and Noori's education earned him the title "Mullah." While in Zabul Province, Noori worked on his father's land and also as a tailor.
In 1995, Noori fought alongside al-Qaeda.
In March 1999, Noori left home to go to Kabul in order to join the Talibam. He met with Mullah Yunis at the security base and one month later began working for Governor Malawi Kabir in Jalalabad. He worked as Kabir's guard and did housework.
In December 1999, Kabir sent Noori to Baghlan and told him to work for the local governor, Mullah Abdul Bari. In February 2000, Noori went to Mazar-e-Sharif to work for the governor. After 8 months, Noori was named governor. Noori's responsibilities included mediating civil disputes and performing security duties.
On November 17, 2001 Noori turned himself in to US forces. He was sent to Guantanamo Bay on January 11, 2002. He was considered a high value asset because of the biographical information he had on Taliban leaders.
On May 31, 2014, Noori, along with four other Taliban detainees, was traded for an American POW, Bow Bergdahl. The Emir of Qatar has been credited for his efforts to secure this deal between the US and the Taliban. Noori, along with the other four, will be under Qatari control for at least one year, forbidden to leave the country.
Since the release of Noori and the other four men, a government watch agency (the GAO) came out with a report stating that the Obama administration had acted illegally by not notifying Congress in advance of the exchange. It is currently unclear how this will effect US law or the administration.
With a Master of Strategic Intelligence and a BS in Political Science, Laura excelled as an analyst with the federal government and local government. She focused on issues of terrorism and crime and quickly became the subject matter expert in every office she worked in. Laura left government service to pursue a writing career. She currently works as the Senior Policy Analyst with Sussman Corporate Security in addition to her writing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8688399
DOB: January 1, 1967, Shajoie, Zabul Province, Afghanistan
Citizenship: Afghanistan,
Risk Level: HIGH, likely to pose a threat to the US, its interests and allies
Intelligence Value: HIGH
Rank/Position: Senior Taliban Military Commander, Taliban governor for the Balkh and Lagman provinces
Education:
Incarcerated: January 11, 2002
Released: May 31, 2014
Connections
Close ties to Taliban leader Mullah Omar
Senior Taliban Officials
Senior al-Qaeda members
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
Libyan Islamic Fighting Group
Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin
Crimes
Engaged in hostilities against US and Coalition Forces in Zabul Province
War Crimes - murder and torture of thousands of Shiite Muslims in Northern Afghanistan
Passed communications between Taliban and al-Qaeda
History
Noori grew up in Shajoie and learned to read and write at the mosque in his village. His father was an imam atht he mosque and Noori's education earned him the title "Mullah." While in Zabul Province, Noori worked on his father's land and also as a tailor.
In 1995, Noori fought alongside al-Qaeda.
In March 1999, Noori left home to go to Kabul in order to join the Talibam. He met with Mullah Yunis at the security base and one month later began working for Governor Malawi Kabir in Jalalabad. He worked as Kabir's guard and did housework.
In December 1999, Kabir sent Noori to Baghlan and told him to work for the local governor, Mullah Abdul Bari. In February 2000, Noori went to Mazar-e-Sharif to work for the governor. After 8 months, Noori was named governor. Noori's responsibilities included mediating civil disputes and performing security duties.
On November 17, 2001 Noori turned himself in to US forces. He was sent to Guantanamo Bay on January 11, 2002. He was considered a high value asset because of the biographical information he had on Taliban leaders.
On May 31, 2014, Noori, along with four other Taliban detainees, was traded for an American POW, Bow Bergdahl. The Emir of Qatar has been credited for his efforts to secure this deal between the US and the Taliban. Noori, along with the other four, will be under Qatari control for at least one year, forbidden to leave the country.
Since the release of Noori and the other four men, a government watch agency (the GAO) came out with a report stating that the Obama administration had acted illegally by not notifying Congress in advance of the exchange. It is currently unclear how this will effect US law or the administration.
With a Master of Strategic Intelligence and a BS in Political Science, Laura excelled as an analyst with the federal government and local government. She focused on issues of terrorism and crime and quickly became the subject matter expert in every office she worked in. Laura left government service to pursue a writing career. She currently works as the Senior Policy Analyst with Sussman Corporate Security in addition to her writing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8688399
Mullah Mohammad Fazl: A Short Biography of One of the Taliban Five
ALIASES: Mohammad a Fazl, Mullah Fazl Ahmad, Mullah Fazl Mazloom, Haji Fazl
DOB: January 1, 1967, Charchno, Afghanistan
Citizenship: Afghanistan,
Risk Level: HIGH, likely to pose a threat to the US, its interests and allies
Intelligence Value: HIGH
Rank/Position: Deputy Defense Minister, chief of staff of Taliban Army, Commander of 10th Division
Education: Rabinyah Madrassa
Incarcerated: January 11, 2002
Released: May 31, 2014
Connections
al-Qaeda
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin
Anit-Coalition Militia
Taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Omar
Crimes
War Crime - murder of thousands of Shiite Muslims in Afghanistan
Possibly involved in killing of Iranian diplomats
Massacres in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan
Protected a murderer accused of mass murder.
Brokered deals and passed communication between Taliban and extremist groups.
Narcotics trafficking
History
During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Fazl and his mother moved to a refugee camp in Pakistan. While there, he received six years of religious training at Rabinyah Madrassa. After leaving, Mullah Abdul Ghafar encouraged Fazl to join the Taliban, which was just starting. Fazl left and went to Kandahar to join the movement. His first assignment was as a solider in Kandahar.
In 1996, Fazl commanded 100 troops. From 1999 to 2001, he commanded around 3,000 troops and participated in hostilities toward the Northern Alliance. Soon after this, he became the Taliban Chief of Army Staff and Commander of the 10th Division.
In November 2001, Fazl turned himself in to Northern Alliance Commander General Dostum. The General was paid $500,000 to make sure that Fazl received safe passage to prison. Fazl was detained in Afghanistan until late December of that year. In January 2002 Fazl was incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The US hoped to glean information regarding Taliban personnel and Taliban order of battle from Fazl. The US also hoped to get more information regarding the Mazar-e-Sharif prison uprising, the assassination of Iranian diplomats and training, motivation, recruitment, leadership and networks of terrorists.
Since his detainment, the Taliban has used Fazl's name and capture in recruitment campaigns. Fazl, while in prison, fostered anti-US sentiment among the prisoners.
On May 31, 2014, Fazl, along with four other Taliban detainees, was traded for an American POW, Bow Bergdahl. The Emir of Qatar has been credited for his efforts to secure this deal between the US and the Taliban. Fazl, along with the other four, will be under Qatari control for at least one year, forbidden to leave the country.
Since the release of Fazl and the other four men, a government watch agency (the GAO) came out with a report stating that the Obama administration had acted illegally by not notifying Congress in advance of the exchange. It is currently unclear how this will affect US law or the administration.
With a Master of Strategic Intelligence and a BS in Political Science, Laura excelled as an analyst with the federal government and local government. She focused on issues of terrorism and crime and quickly became the subject matter expert in every office she worked in. Laura left government service to pursue a writing career. She currently works as the Senior Policy Analyst with Sussman Corporate Security in addition to her writing. Laura focuses on issue of military, terrorism, intelligence, and organized crime.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8688414
DOB: January 1, 1967, Charchno, Afghanistan
Citizenship: Afghanistan,
Risk Level: HIGH, likely to pose a threat to the US, its interests and allies
Intelligence Value: HIGH
Rank/Position: Deputy Defense Minister, chief of staff of Taliban Army, Commander of 10th Division
Education: Rabinyah Madrassa
Incarcerated: January 11, 2002
Released: May 31, 2014
Connections
al-Qaeda
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin
Anit-Coalition Militia
Taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Omar
Crimes
War Crime - murder of thousands of Shiite Muslims in Afghanistan
Possibly involved in killing of Iranian diplomats
Massacres in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan
Protected a murderer accused of mass murder.
Brokered deals and passed communication between Taliban and extremist groups.
Narcotics trafficking
History
During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Fazl and his mother moved to a refugee camp in Pakistan. While there, he received six years of religious training at Rabinyah Madrassa. After leaving, Mullah Abdul Ghafar encouraged Fazl to join the Taliban, which was just starting. Fazl left and went to Kandahar to join the movement. His first assignment was as a solider in Kandahar.
In 1996, Fazl commanded 100 troops. From 1999 to 2001, he commanded around 3,000 troops and participated in hostilities toward the Northern Alliance. Soon after this, he became the Taliban Chief of Army Staff and Commander of the 10th Division.
In November 2001, Fazl turned himself in to Northern Alliance Commander General Dostum. The General was paid $500,000 to make sure that Fazl received safe passage to prison. Fazl was detained in Afghanistan until late December of that year. In January 2002 Fazl was incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The US hoped to glean information regarding Taliban personnel and Taliban order of battle from Fazl. The US also hoped to get more information regarding the Mazar-e-Sharif prison uprising, the assassination of Iranian diplomats and training, motivation, recruitment, leadership and networks of terrorists.
Since his detainment, the Taliban has used Fazl's name and capture in recruitment campaigns. Fazl, while in prison, fostered anti-US sentiment among the prisoners.
On May 31, 2014, Fazl, along with four other Taliban detainees, was traded for an American POW, Bow Bergdahl. The Emir of Qatar has been credited for his efforts to secure this deal between the US and the Taliban. Fazl, along with the other four, will be under Qatari control for at least one year, forbidden to leave the country.
Since the release of Fazl and the other four men, a government watch agency (the GAO) came out with a report stating that the Obama administration had acted illegally by not notifying Congress in advance of the exchange. It is currently unclear how this will affect US law or the administration.
With a Master of Strategic Intelligence and a BS in Political Science, Laura excelled as an analyst with the federal government and local government. She focused on issues of terrorism and crime and quickly became the subject matter expert in every office she worked in. Laura left government service to pursue a writing career. She currently works as the Senior Policy Analyst with Sussman Corporate Security in addition to her writing. Laura focuses on issue of military, terrorism, intelligence, and organized crime.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8688414
American Dollars To Canadian Doughnuts
Tim Hortons has long been a regular stop whenever I visit Canada.
For one thing, I couldn't avoid Tim Hortons outlets if I wanted to; they're everywhere. I do genuinely like their doughnuts, however. The chain is the biggest coffee and doughnut seller in Canada and marked its 50th anniversary this spring.
Given Tim Hortons' ubiquity and popularity, it is no surprise that American dollars are chasing Canadian doughnuts.
News broke recently that Burger King Worldwide Inc. is engaged in talks to buy Tim Hortons. Should the deal succeed, the combined businesses would together have about $22 billion in sales, making the new fast-food company the world's third-largest.
Burger King wouldn't only be securing a Canadian institution with habit-forming baked goods, though. It would also pick up a more favorable tax situation, courtesy of a move north of the border. In the proposed version of the merger, Burger King would create a new, Canadian-based parent company, housing both independently operating chains. This structure would give Burger King domicile in Canada and preserve Tim Hortons' domicile there.
While unnamed sources briefed in the deal told The New York Times that taxes were not the primary motivation behind the talks (1), Burger King is obviously aware of the tax implications. Canada cut its national corporate tax rate to its current level of 15 percent several years ago. (Companies there must also pay provincial taxes, meaning Ontario-based corporations such as Tim Hortons currently pay 26.5 percent total.) Meanwhile, the U.S. insists not only on a 35 percent federal corporate tax rate, plus state taxes in most places, but also on taxing corporations on earnings worldwide. Burger King doesn't currently hold much cash outside the country, the Times reported, but it may certainly have an eye on expansion in the future, both in Canada and elsewhere. (1)
Although Burger King is an American company, it is controlled by a Brazilian investment firm, 3G Capital, which owns about 70 percent of the company's shares. Why would Brazilians want to continue to pay U.S. tax on profits from burgers they sell in Buenos Aires or Hong Kong? There is no reason they would. Under the tax systems in place almost everywhere outside the United States, there is no reason they should, either.
As for Burger King's American shareholders, like all corporate shareholders here, they are taxed twice: once on corporate profits and again when the corporation pays out dividends. This makes tax inversion - relocating a company's headquarters to a lower-tax nation, as Burger King may - an attractive prospect, even for American shareholders. It's worth noting, too, that those who criticize inversion most vehemently are almost always people whose income is only taxed once - and often, that income is a salary paid by taxpayers.
The current president has made no secret of his displeasure with the practice. Obama and the Democrats have bleated about unpatriotic U.S. corporations, as if there were an inherent patriotic duty to have income earned abroad taxed back in the U.S at least once. In the wake of at least five large U.S. companies that have announced plans for inversions between mid-June and late July, Obama criticized a herd mentality at play in the decisions, calling the companies "corporate deserters who renounce their citizenship to shield profits." (2) This characterization imagines corporations are owned by nobody, or by Martians, who otherwise lack citizenship elsewhere on Earth.
The administration is said to be looking for a way to make inversions difficult or impossible in the future. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew has acknowledged that his agency is seeking ways to hinder or stop inversions without the need for legislative support from Congress.
However, unlike government-regulated banks, which under pressure have forked over billions of dollars in penalties for real and imagined offenses, most private corporations have legal teams that are well used to challenging rulings from the Internal Revenue Service. We have an active and independent Tax Court in this country. The IRS is a frequent litigant and a not-infrequent loser, especially when it faces adversaries with technical knowledge and financial resources, such as are available to major corporations. If the administration wants to challenge inversions using, shall we say, novel interpretations of the tax law, it should not expect most of corporate America to roll over the way that the banks have.
Even if the government succeeds in making inversions impractical for U.S.-based companies, it is unlikely to be pleased with the result. Blocking inversions here will only turn American companies into takeover targets for foreign businesses. Acquirers will simply buy U.S. companies and relocate the headquarters, or their assets, once the deal is complete. In the process, even more American jobs will be lost.
When Canada lowered its corporate tax rate, critics warned that the move would be disastrous for Canadian federal government revenues. If the Burger King inversion is any indication, an attractive tax structure can more than make up for a lower rate by drawing new and existing businesses to establish headquarters in Canada.
The sensible thing is to recognize once again that neither Martians nor corporations pay taxes. Shareholders and customers - in other words, people - do. If those people have no connection to the U.S. other than a corporation's legal domicile, they will find ways to sever their ties rather than fund a foreign government at exorbitant rates.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8689707
For one thing, I couldn't avoid Tim Hortons outlets if I wanted to; they're everywhere. I do genuinely like their doughnuts, however. The chain is the biggest coffee and doughnut seller in Canada and marked its 50th anniversary this spring.
Given Tim Hortons' ubiquity and popularity, it is no surprise that American dollars are chasing Canadian doughnuts.
News broke recently that Burger King Worldwide Inc. is engaged in talks to buy Tim Hortons. Should the deal succeed, the combined businesses would together have about $22 billion in sales, making the new fast-food company the world's third-largest.
Burger King wouldn't only be securing a Canadian institution with habit-forming baked goods, though. It would also pick up a more favorable tax situation, courtesy of a move north of the border. In the proposed version of the merger, Burger King would create a new, Canadian-based parent company, housing both independently operating chains. This structure would give Burger King domicile in Canada and preserve Tim Hortons' domicile there.
While unnamed sources briefed in the deal told The New York Times that taxes were not the primary motivation behind the talks (1), Burger King is obviously aware of the tax implications. Canada cut its national corporate tax rate to its current level of 15 percent several years ago. (Companies there must also pay provincial taxes, meaning Ontario-based corporations such as Tim Hortons currently pay 26.5 percent total.) Meanwhile, the U.S. insists not only on a 35 percent federal corporate tax rate, plus state taxes in most places, but also on taxing corporations on earnings worldwide. Burger King doesn't currently hold much cash outside the country, the Times reported, but it may certainly have an eye on expansion in the future, both in Canada and elsewhere. (1)
Although Burger King is an American company, it is controlled by a Brazilian investment firm, 3G Capital, which owns about 70 percent of the company's shares. Why would Brazilians want to continue to pay U.S. tax on profits from burgers they sell in Buenos Aires or Hong Kong? There is no reason they would. Under the tax systems in place almost everywhere outside the United States, there is no reason they should, either.
As for Burger King's American shareholders, like all corporate shareholders here, they are taxed twice: once on corporate profits and again when the corporation pays out dividends. This makes tax inversion - relocating a company's headquarters to a lower-tax nation, as Burger King may - an attractive prospect, even for American shareholders. It's worth noting, too, that those who criticize inversion most vehemently are almost always people whose income is only taxed once - and often, that income is a salary paid by taxpayers.
The current president has made no secret of his displeasure with the practice. Obama and the Democrats have bleated about unpatriotic U.S. corporations, as if there were an inherent patriotic duty to have income earned abroad taxed back in the U.S at least once. In the wake of at least five large U.S. companies that have announced plans for inversions between mid-June and late July, Obama criticized a herd mentality at play in the decisions, calling the companies "corporate deserters who renounce their citizenship to shield profits." (2) This characterization imagines corporations are owned by nobody, or by Martians, who otherwise lack citizenship elsewhere on Earth.
The administration is said to be looking for a way to make inversions difficult or impossible in the future. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew has acknowledged that his agency is seeking ways to hinder or stop inversions without the need for legislative support from Congress.
However, unlike government-regulated banks, which under pressure have forked over billions of dollars in penalties for real and imagined offenses, most private corporations have legal teams that are well used to challenging rulings from the Internal Revenue Service. We have an active and independent Tax Court in this country. The IRS is a frequent litigant and a not-infrequent loser, especially when it faces adversaries with technical knowledge and financial resources, such as are available to major corporations. If the administration wants to challenge inversions using, shall we say, novel interpretations of the tax law, it should not expect most of corporate America to roll over the way that the banks have.
Even if the government succeeds in making inversions impractical for U.S.-based companies, it is unlikely to be pleased with the result. Blocking inversions here will only turn American companies into takeover targets for foreign businesses. Acquirers will simply buy U.S. companies and relocate the headquarters, or their assets, once the deal is complete. In the process, even more American jobs will be lost.
When Canada lowered its corporate tax rate, critics warned that the move would be disastrous for Canadian federal government revenues. If the Burger King inversion is any indication, an attractive tax structure can more than make up for a lower rate by drawing new and existing businesses to establish headquarters in Canada.
The sensible thing is to recognize once again that neither Martians nor corporations pay taxes. Shareholders and customers - in other words, people - do. If those people have no connection to the U.S. other than a corporation's legal domicile, they will find ways to sever their ties rather than fund a foreign government at exorbitant rates.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8689707
Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Massacre of Innocents
Israel launched a Gaza ground campaign after 12 days of bombardments from the air and sea failed to stop militants' rocket attacks, stepping up an offensive that already has taken a heavy toll in civilian lives. The death toll over 12 days now stands at 333. That figure includes 77 children, 24 women and 18 senior citizens, and that more than 2,385 people have been injured.
Despite a long-term peace process and the general reconciliation of Israel with Egypt and Jordan, Israelis and Palestinians have failed to reach a final peace agreement. The remaining key issues are: mutual recognition, borders, security, water rights, control of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, Palestinian freedom of movement and resolving Palestinian claims of a right of return for their refugees. Many attempts have been made to broker a two-state solution, involving the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel (after Israel's establishment in 1948). In 2007, the majority of both Israelis and Palestinians, according to a number of polls, preferred the two-state solution over any other solution as a means of resolving the conflict.
What's happening in Gaza is nothing new - a rerun, if you will, of a midday television drama first aired decades ago. Briefly, it goes like this -
2004: Operations Rainbow and Days of Penitence.
2006: Operations Summer Rains and Autumn Clouds.
2008: Operation Hot Winter.
December of 2008: Operation Cast Lead (or Gaza War).
March 2012: Operation Returning Echo.
October 2012: Operation Pillar of Defense.
And now we have Operation Protective Edge.
The fighting has been the worst between Israel and Palestinians in two years. You just need to be human to realize what is happening in Gaza is wrong. Power goes out in the Gaza Strip. Israel has cut off the device nutritious for the people of the Gaza Strip with electricity. Some areas were not provided with electricity for more than 24 hours, a full day.
This is what Israel is doing here in Gaza; power outages, the bombing of houses and killing of children, men and women!!
The Gaza strip is blockaded by Israel on the north-east, east and South-east. Egypt stands guard at the south and south-west, and has recently closed its borders. And in the west and north-west is the Mediterranean Sea. The West Bank is worse. It shares an immense border with Jordan, but Amman has a bloody history with the Palestinians (black September, anyone?) The entire region is surrounded and secured, if you will, by the Israelis.
One can smell death everywhere and one can see oppression and fear in all the eyes one see. Future is unknown In the Gaza strip, so you never know when the air strike will kill you and you will become breaking news on local and international media. You never know if the
air strike will kill you alone or with your family. You never know when you will be a serious injury and nobody can take you to treat out of Gaza because Rafah border is closed.
You never know if your family will have the time to say goodbye to you, or you will be pieces that nobody can recognize who you are.
In Gaza, if you are still alive because they are lucky that the Israeli air-strike didn't kill you yet!
To shed blood of civilians is not the way to end up a conflict. And it is again MUSLIMS who are targeted and killed in the name of religion. Palestine, Gaza in particular, has a Muslim majority. However, this does not mean that its problems and the crimes committed against its people are the concern of Muslims alone. People in Gaza want to live in peace and justice. A long-term solution is needed for Gaza, to give them better future they deserve. To the eyes and ears of any non-Muslim, Gaza would seem like an issue that does not involve them - it is a Muslim thing, an Islamic world issue. But, as the placard phrased so beautifully, it is the concern of the entire world, of humanity. As a human we all should stand up for the sake of humanity if we really are humans!! As this is a humanitarian crisis, not a religious one.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8710947
Despite a long-term peace process and the general reconciliation of Israel with Egypt and Jordan, Israelis and Palestinians have failed to reach a final peace agreement. The remaining key issues are: mutual recognition, borders, security, water rights, control of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, Palestinian freedom of movement and resolving Palestinian claims of a right of return for their refugees. Many attempts have been made to broker a two-state solution, involving the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel (after Israel's establishment in 1948). In 2007, the majority of both Israelis and Palestinians, according to a number of polls, preferred the two-state solution over any other solution as a means of resolving the conflict.
What's happening in Gaza is nothing new - a rerun, if you will, of a midday television drama first aired decades ago. Briefly, it goes like this -
2004: Operations Rainbow and Days of Penitence.
2006: Operations Summer Rains and Autumn Clouds.
2008: Operation Hot Winter.
December of 2008: Operation Cast Lead (or Gaza War).
March 2012: Operation Returning Echo.
October 2012: Operation Pillar of Defense.
And now we have Operation Protective Edge.
The fighting has been the worst between Israel and Palestinians in two years. You just need to be human to realize what is happening in Gaza is wrong. Power goes out in the Gaza Strip. Israel has cut off the device nutritious for the people of the Gaza Strip with electricity. Some areas were not provided with electricity for more than 24 hours, a full day.
This is what Israel is doing here in Gaza; power outages, the bombing of houses and killing of children, men and women!!
The Gaza strip is blockaded by Israel on the north-east, east and South-east. Egypt stands guard at the south and south-west, and has recently closed its borders. And in the west and north-west is the Mediterranean Sea. The West Bank is worse. It shares an immense border with Jordan, but Amman has a bloody history with the Palestinians (black September, anyone?) The entire region is surrounded and secured, if you will, by the Israelis.
One can smell death everywhere and one can see oppression and fear in all the eyes one see. Future is unknown In the Gaza strip, so you never know when the air strike will kill you and you will become breaking news on local and international media. You never know if the
air strike will kill you alone or with your family. You never know when you will be a serious injury and nobody can take you to treat out of Gaza because Rafah border is closed.
You never know if your family will have the time to say goodbye to you, or you will be pieces that nobody can recognize who you are.
In Gaza, if you are still alive because they are lucky that the Israeli air-strike didn't kill you yet!
To shed blood of civilians is not the way to end up a conflict. And it is again MUSLIMS who are targeted and killed in the name of religion. Palestine, Gaza in particular, has a Muslim majority. However, this does not mean that its problems and the crimes committed against its people are the concern of Muslims alone. People in Gaza want to live in peace and justice. A long-term solution is needed for Gaza, to give them better future they deserve. To the eyes and ears of any non-Muslim, Gaza would seem like an issue that does not involve them - it is a Muslim thing, an Islamic world issue. But, as the placard phrased so beautifully, it is the concern of the entire world, of humanity. As a human we all should stand up for the sake of humanity if we really are humans!! As this is a humanitarian crisis, not a religious one.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8710947
Considering Parking Garages? Follow These Tips and Tricks for Safe Public Parking
Parking garages and public parking areas are usually conveniently situated in highly accessible areas so that people find it easy to park their vehicles and enjoy the rest of the activities such as shopping that a huge city has in store. It can be considered a herculean task to navigate parking garages found in huge cities. It also takes a lot of knowledge to be able to remain free of accidents in such cities. Following a few tips will help make your stay in the huge cities enjoyable as well as free of tension.
Taking away valuables
Ensuring that your car is free of any valuables when you leave your car unattended is a wise decision. Parking garages are very safe usually; however it is better to be cautious in order to avoid being sorry later. Leaving valuables and belongings within the vehicle forces people to break into your car. Carrying your belongings along will ensure safety. If by chance you are unable to carry your belongings then make sure you hide them in the trunk or under the seat in a way that it is not visible to anybody.
Avoid double parking
The high requirement for parking spots makes double parking a serious violation. Whatever your reason, be it owning a beautiful car, moving away for a minute or even overshooting your spot only by a small bit, you will be given a ticket. You sometimes might even have a few minor dings on the doors or even find the vehicle to be impounded. It is worth thinking about all the trouble that you may go through trying to find the impounded vehicle, the expenses of towing, the fees incurred for impounding or any other fees you may have accrued going along, all just for a small amount of time saved.
Being precocious in avoiding damages
It is mandatory to be cautious when looking for a parking spot as you would encounter winding lanes, turns that are tight, other vehicles and pedestrians in parking garages. Keeping the parking lights on while moving through parking garages, looking for cars backing up and avoiding hold-up of traffic by waiting for a space are things that you can do to avoid damage.
Looking for the best parking garages
The huge availability of parking garages in large cities makes it easy to find interesting deals for parking. Consider choosing a garage that might be a little farther off because it would be cheaper than the one closer to your street. By opting for a garage that is little far-off, you have the benefit of saving money as well as indulging in a little bit of exercise.
Parking spaces might be cheaper early in the afternoon and late in the evening in comparison to the morning or late afternoon's. This is because people usually get to work in the morning and get back from work late afternoons. Doing your homework to identify timings that are suitable and willing to exercise a bit will help you in finding parking space easily.
Reputed parking garages provide parking services for Essex inn parking and soldier field parking that are safe and reliable. Just make sure that you carry your valuables along so that you can enjoy the city with peace of mind.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8719004
Taking away valuables
Ensuring that your car is free of any valuables when you leave your car unattended is a wise decision. Parking garages are very safe usually; however it is better to be cautious in order to avoid being sorry later. Leaving valuables and belongings within the vehicle forces people to break into your car. Carrying your belongings along will ensure safety. If by chance you are unable to carry your belongings then make sure you hide them in the trunk or under the seat in a way that it is not visible to anybody.
Avoid double parking
The high requirement for parking spots makes double parking a serious violation. Whatever your reason, be it owning a beautiful car, moving away for a minute or even overshooting your spot only by a small bit, you will be given a ticket. You sometimes might even have a few minor dings on the doors or even find the vehicle to be impounded. It is worth thinking about all the trouble that you may go through trying to find the impounded vehicle, the expenses of towing, the fees incurred for impounding or any other fees you may have accrued going along, all just for a small amount of time saved.
Being precocious in avoiding damages
It is mandatory to be cautious when looking for a parking spot as you would encounter winding lanes, turns that are tight, other vehicles and pedestrians in parking garages. Keeping the parking lights on while moving through parking garages, looking for cars backing up and avoiding hold-up of traffic by waiting for a space are things that you can do to avoid damage.
Looking for the best parking garages
The huge availability of parking garages in large cities makes it easy to find interesting deals for parking. Consider choosing a garage that might be a little farther off because it would be cheaper than the one closer to your street. By opting for a garage that is little far-off, you have the benefit of saving money as well as indulging in a little bit of exercise.
Parking spaces might be cheaper early in the afternoon and late in the evening in comparison to the morning or late afternoon's. This is because people usually get to work in the morning and get back from work late afternoons. Doing your homework to identify timings that are suitable and willing to exercise a bit will help you in finding parking space easily.
Reputed parking garages provide parking services for Essex inn parking and soldier field parking that are safe and reliable. Just make sure that you carry your valuables along so that you can enjoy the city with peace of mind.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8719004
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